Sonam Wangchuk Commends Government for Anti-Paper Leak Legislation After Hunger Strike

On Thursday, activist Sonam Wangchuk expressed his approval of the recent legislative progress made by the BJP-led Central Government, following the Lok Sabha's passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. Wangchuk, who recently concluded a hunger strike aimed at highlighting the NEET paper leak and various irregularities within the education sector, described the bill as a significant advancement towards reforming India's examination framework. He emphasized the importance of the government adhering to its commitment of refraining from legal actions against students who participated in the protests. In a heartfelt video message, Wangchuk conveyed his satisfaction with the legislative development, expressing hope that it would serve as a catalyst for more extensive educational reforms across the nation. He urged the authorities to honor the agreement made with him and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which included assurances against prosecuting the protesting students. Wangchuk stated, 'I am pleased that a Bill on examination reforms has been introduced in Parliament, and I hope it will lead to broader reforms in the education system as well. I would also like to appeal to the government to honor the understanding reached with me and the CJP—that no legal action should be taken against the students.'

In light of the discussions that transpired in Parliament regarding the NEET-UG paper leak incident, Wangchuk called on the Central Government to uphold the promises made to the CJP and the student demonstrators. He firmly stated, 'Do not file FIRs and honor the trust of the youth,' emphasizing the need for the government to maintain its integrity in dealing with the youth's concerns. Despite Wangchuk's optimism, the CJP, which has been a leading force in the anti-paper leak movement, expressed reservations about the new legislation, arguing that it fails to address the underlying issues that lead to frequent exam leaks. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka criticized the bill for focusing primarily on punitive measures post-incident rather than implementing preventive strategies. He remarked, 'The discussion should not be limited to measures taken after a paper leak occurs. The government should explain what it is doing to prevent paper leaks in the first place.' Ranka further highlighted the absence of discussions regarding the enhancement of examination infrastructure, regulation of coaching centers, and the reform of key examination bodies such as the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).